The late drama came on the back of a 4-0 drubbing at the hands of Liverpool heading into the international break, but Gazidis – in an email sent out to club employees – claims: “At the end of the window, reviewing all activity, we have once again improved the quality and depth of our squad.”

In the message, sent out on Friday, Gazidis conceded that an “unacceptable” performance at Anfield had cast a different light on Arsenal’s dealings.

Acknowledging that there had been a “lot of noise around the transfer window”, he added: “Everything is coloured by results...a positive performance at Liverpool would have coloured this transfer window very differently.

“We have had a poor start to the season but have the quality to turn it around and turn around performances and compete for the title. It is time to get back to what it is all about, the football.

“The manager and players know that the performance at Anfield was not good enough and they will be focused to put that right after the international break.”